Verdict

A high class entry and ASTARADOR is our recommendation although Mister McGoldrick and The Whisperer are very real dangers. Although outclassed behind Araldur and Free World, Howard Johnson's charge has ran well in the past and against this level of opposition, he is pitched in with a realistic chance of gaining compensation. Mister McGoldrick is enjoying something of an Indian summer. Another to drop in class, he does have a lot of weight for a horse of his advanced years but he always tries his hardest. The handicapper hasn't had too much opportunity to do his sums in relation to The Whisperer. If he's got them wrong, don't be surprised to see plenty of money in the market. First Look appears in need of this trip these days and Rhys Flint is reunited with him today, though the rider will not be able to make use of his claim on this occasion. Brave Rebellion was heavily punted at Wetherby on Boxing Day and appears to be coming back to some semblance of form. El Vaquero has proved a bitter disappointment since leaving Henrietta Knight's care. A very good race by the track's standards and Astarador is our recommendation.

Formwatch

Mister McGoldrick 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led 11th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 50l behind Nozic (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.

Astarador (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Led until approaching 3rd, tracked leading pair, not fluent 7th, blundered 9th, struggled 4 out, hit 3 out and next, stayed on to take poor 3rd near finish, 3rd of 5, 36l behind Araldur (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.

King Daniel 25-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, weakened after 5 out, 12th of 14, well behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.

Newman Des Plages (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 25l behind Sheriff Hutton (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.

El Vaquero (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, soon no impression, 7th of 10, 41l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.

The Whisperer (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, blundered 6th, challenged 3 out, every chance until no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Nudge And Nurdle (11-6) at Perth 3m nov chs (2) gd in Apr.

First Look (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Prominent, effort and every chance 4 out, kept on until ridden, no extra approaching last, 6th of 12, 11l behind Akilak (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.

Moncadou (FR) 16-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 6th of 12, 31l behind Herecomesthetruth (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.

Brave Rebellion 4-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, challenged last, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Final Veto (10-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.

Flying Falcon 6-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, hit 11th, hit 13th, soon reminders and weakened, 5th of 9, well behind Merigo (10-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec.

Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Prominent, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra approaching last, 5th of 12, 9l behind Akilak (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.

Robin De Sherwood (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, in touch when fell 5 out in race won by Ellerslie George (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.